Former Murdoch tabloid journalists face charges

Eight people are appearing in court to face charges connected to the phone hacking scandal that rocked Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. empire.

Rebekah Brooks, the former chief of News Corp.'s British newspapers, and Andy Coulson, the ex-communications chief for Prime Minister David Cameron, were among those appearing in court Wednesday.

The eight are accused of participating in a campaign of espionage which targeted hundreds of celebrities, sports stars, politicians and crime victims.

Among the hacking targets was Milly Dowler, a 13-year-old girl abducted and murdered in a case that drew national attention. Journalists are alleged to have eavesdropped on her mobile phone, listened to her voicemail messages, and deleted some of them in order to make room for more.